professional bodies

Special Libraries Association Legal Division

Website of the Legal Division of the Special Libraries Association (SLA) an international organisation based in Washington DC representing special librarians and information professionals in over 70 countries. The Legal Division was founded in 1993 and acts as a forum for librarians working in law firms, businesses and government libraries. The website gives contact details for the executive and advisory board of the Legal Division, their marketing leaflet (available in PDF) and the Legal Division Manual (in HTML).

Commonwealth Lawyers Association

Website of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA) a professional body founded in 1983 whose members include lawyers, national bar associations and law societies in Commonwealth countries. The CLA's aim is to promote "the rule of law throughout the Commonwealth by ensuring that an independent and efficient legal profession, with the highest standards of ethics and integrity, serves the people of the Commonwealth".

ABA Section of Family Law

Website for the American Bar Association Family Law Section which was formed in 1958 to improve the administration of justice in family law and to "serve as the national leader in the field of marital and family law". Membership is drawn from family law practitioners and law students. The Family Law Section deals with legal issues such as divorce, custody, adoption, paternity, child abduction and mediation. There are sections aimed at members, students and the general public.

Expert Witness Institute

Website of the Expert Witness Institute (EWI), an organisation set up in 1996 to support expert witnesses. The site gives organisational information about the EWI, the work of its committees and a diary of events, courses and seminars. The site also includes EWI newsletters and position papers, professional guidance for members, news items and a page of links. Parts of the site are only available to members of the EWI.

Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe

The Council of the Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) is the official representative body for the legal profession in the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA). It is also a Council of Europe consultative body. The website describes the CCBE's structure and work, lists its member bars and law societies and provides a directory of committee officers. The Documents section includes the Code of Conduct for European Lawyers and position papers on more than 25 subjects, ranging from access to justice and world trade to contract law and VAT.

Finnish Bar Association

Website of the Finnish Bar Association, an organisation representing advocates in Finland. The site makes freely available in HTML an English language version of the Act on Advocates 1958, which first established and now regulates the Association. There are also full details of the membership requirements and the by-laws of the Association, covering topics such as the board, delegation, accounts and auditing, chapters, dues, arbitration, duties of a member, disciplinary procedures, appeals and miscellaneous provisions.

Bar Standards Board

The Bar Standards Board (BSB) regulates barristers in England and Wales. Its areas of responsibility include education and training requirements for barristers, setting standards of professional conduct and handling complaints against barristers. Its website provides information for barristers and the general public, including details of the qualifications required to become a barrister, advice on how to make a complaint and information about continuing professional development.

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